"That account effectively will be activated early in the morning - we understand after 10:00am (AEST) so that anyone - both locally and across the nation - can call that number or make a donation by the [Uniting Care Community] website."

He said he was also working with the family, local community and authorities for a permanent public memorial at the site.

"We'd also like to see some of those financial contributions go towards a public memorial, which I'll announce more details of tomorrow morning," he said.

Mr King said the Salvation Army was also setting up two houses in Cairns for visiting family members who were coming from across the state to stay in the city during this time.